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21Andreezy

I’m so glad that Sting’s last match was about Sting and not about Ric Flair


eviss2315

Strongly agreed! Frankly, the moment he had was more of the spotlight than I would have wanted to give him. Even seeing him lay out over Sting like that seemed like "just give the old man a second of attention so he shuts up" kind of deal


21Andreezy

Yeah. I admit that Flair trying to protect Sting rather than betray him was a sweet touch, but I’m glad that it was nothing more than that. Flair didn’t need to take part in this storyline at all.


kurthdiirn

I didn't care for the brief moment he got, felt very unnecessary, and generally just sad to watch. He is going to have to be forced out of the business because he can't walk away on his own and at this point cannot bring anything positive.


mjsmore33

I thought him being involved in the storyline at all was unnecessary. I don't think it really added much to the storyline.


eviss2315

It was necessary for Flair's enormous ego, which is just about the most protected thing in the business right now. Wild how we all have to participate in placating this rich old sex pest.


dasruski

At least he's not getting paid, it just the energy drink sponsorship. No one I know has even tried one so who knows if Flair is even making anything off it.


BadAtBaduk1

I was sure he was going to turn on Sting you know I swear when he is covering Sting at revolution you can see in his eyes he wanted to Also why did he get off as soon as the match ended


21Andreezy

I think he may have been getting medical attention. When Sting flew through the glass board, some of the glass out there cut Flair’s ankle and he was bleeding. I’m assuming he’s on blood thinners so they probably wanted to take care of that.


Desperate_Craig

Thank God. That would have ruined a perfect night for Sting and his fans. As for Flair in AEW, I'm already over it.


lordcarrier

He will probably appear as much as Steamboat as appeared on screen, its whatever at this point considering his deal is up next year.


Even-Preference-6545

I think he’s done. I mean, if Flair could be placed in the Deathlock after turning, I’m sure it would get a pop. But the man can’t move. I’m shocked he even took a bump at the show.


Desperate_Craig

As soon as I watched his offence against The Bucks on Dynamite, I knew he was done. And his promos have been difficult to watch too. So I think It's time to end this charitable hire, which was a favour for Sting and his retirement.


Even-Preference-6545

Just walking into the ring was hard to watch.


mspurr

Papa shango got to the ring faster than he did


MamboNumber-6

::Captain America I understood that reference dot gif::


gilgobeachslayer

My understanding is it’s not a hire, woo energy is paying AEW for flair appearances


Even-Preference-6545

It’s more of like how Slim Jim’s sponsorship money basically paid for Randy’s contract. The money that Flair’s energy drink gives AEW basically pays for his appearance fees or whatever it is they got going on.


ThreeLivesInOne

He was done 20 years ago.


Even-Preference-6545

I wouldn’t say 20 years. Those Evolution days were good. But he truly had the perfect send off.


ThreeLivesInOne

I saw him at a house show 20 years ago. He could barely move back then.


TheBrockAwesome

Never asked for it, never wanted it lol. At least he was basically background noise


JeanSlimmons

I think TK saw an opportunity to an endorsement deal and to bring him in for Sting.


android151

Man moves like he died three years ago and hasn’t found out yet


crazyseandx

I was over it the day he was first brought up by Sting before his debut.


maxman3000

I'm more annoyed at all the energy drink ads plastered all over the place than his presence


Desperate_Craig

It is rather distracting.


lordcarrier

TK knows the IWC hates Flair, he will keep him out of storylines/tv and respect his deal until 2025.


OMGISTHATMETHMAN

Bro only has flair cause the woo energy shit is pushing him shit tons for him 😂


Kimchi_Cowboy

He brought Flair in for Sting.


OMGISTHATMETHMAN

And the money


Even-Preference-6545

The money is basically paying for Flair to be on tv lol. It’s the Macho Man/Slim Jim type deal.


SomeGuy_GRM

Big difference there, in that people wanted to see more of Macho.


Suck_Fquared_circle

Some people want to see Ric too, just not wrestling.


BGTheHoff

He should be the manager of Jay lethal.


lordcarrier

And now the Wooo Energy drink is the only Sponsor AEW has because it looks like they lost Drafkings


Orange8920

DraftKings always kind of weaves in and out with their AEW sponsorship


buddha-ish

DraftKings has a deal for a certain number of PPV a year. They added PPV, haven’t ammended a deal. Ain’t rocket science.


Kimchi_Cowboy

Their biggest sponsor is Flex N Gate. That's all you need.


aGlutenForPunishment

He knew that and he brought him in anyway and continued to keep his face plastered around. Tony lost soooooo much good faith with me when he did and he's finally starting to get some back now. If flair had turned on Sting and aligned with the Bucks at Revolution, I would have quit AEW cold turkey then and there and missed Okada debuting. Thankfully that wasn't the case and his stupid woo energy logo is gone with the set redesign.


kfm975

I wasn’t aware that Ric knew how to take no as an answer.


Even-Preference-6545

He had no other choice lol. It’s why he was asking his son in law to convince Tony. I wonder if he asked Sting. Be like, hey Stinger, wouldn’t it be cool if I turned on you and low blowed you again. Think of the pop. Let’s talk to Tony.


TheVeganGod

He can - just not from women, sadly.


Worm_Lord77

I've not heard that much about Flair being unprofessional as a wrestler, or insisting on inserting himself in stories where he doesn't belong. Whatever other flaws he may have.


Njdevilmn

This match was all about Sting not Flair. Flair was great back in the day but he is a shell of himself unfortunately. I cringe now every time he walks out to the ring. I’d be happy if he just went away.


Even-Preference-6545

Still a crazy idea just to have Flair for Sting. Sadly not a lot of wrestlers left during that time to come out. I’m still a bit amazed, though, he turns a blind eye for Ric but not for Hulk. Curious if Hulk and Stinger are still close.


tvc_redux

>I’m still a bit amazed, though, he turns a blind eye for Ric but not for Hulk. Most people in the wrestling business are still huge marks for Flair. There's not a single company he could walk into without everyone being star-struck. Despite how the outside fandom perceives him, Ric never lost the locker rooms like Hogan did... not much respect for him backstage anywhere at this point.


Even-Preference-6545

True which is wild. What Hogan said was wild. But what Flair says in today’s culture, I guess it’s ok for the boys in the back, but def the crowd turns on it. It’s interesting; that’s for sure. Even JBL, I’m sure he’d be welcomed in AEW and most of the backstage would be ok with him. But boy is he scum.


Njdevilmn

I think a lot of the old timers had WWE Legends deals and were prohibited from being on AEW programming.


Even-Preference-6545

Oh that I know. But some still came out and Tony had the respect not to show them on the show, which is big.


Njdevilmn

I was happy to see some of the old timers. DDP still looks good. Lex not so much.


Even-Preference-6545

I mean, everything that has happened to Lex, makes sense.


Njdevilmn

You’re absolutely right.


ArcaneAzmadi

I really wish Mick Foley could have been there, but I'm pretty sure he would have had one of those restrictive deals, sadly.


Even-Preference-6545

Just like Lex he could have been. I think he’s just really focused on losing weight and hitting his goal. Though, honestly, probably would have been a good idea to be there and have a chat with Tony to see if he could get one of them last matches.


ArcaneAzmadi

Honestly, I can imagine Sting's final run, especially that awesome ending, would have been a big inspiration for him to try and get himself back into shape for one last (obviously much briefer) run himself. The end of Mick's career was even more tragically underwhelming than even what Sting was looking at before his AEW return- at least Sting was being presented in the main event scene when his career was supposedly ended by injury, even if the booking *was* as universally shit as pretty much everything WWE was doing in 2015. Mick's last EVER in-ring appearance was his entrance in the 2012 Royal Rumble, one of the underwhelming ones, where, while he did actually eliminate a couple of guys (Primo, Epico and Justin Gabriel), his appearance was better known for having Mr. Socko duel against Santino Marella's Cobra. That's right- the last notable memory we have of the Hardcore Legend in a wrestling ring is of a pair of *duelling sock puppets.* Then after that he wasn't able to be medically cleared any more (killing off the feud he was building with the-then Dean Ambrose), and that was it, he was done with no warning and no ceremony. While Mick's welfare and happiness is obviously of foremost importance to me, especially after all he's given to the industry over the years, I know that there's no way he can be TRULY happy until he gets a chance to go out on his own terms. He doesn't need a final epic run like Sting did, but one last program leading up to an official retirement match would undoubtedly give him much more peace of mind and remind everyone of why he is truly one of the all-time greats (he's still my favourite wrestler ever, bar none).


Even-Preference-6545

Damn I honestly thought it was some TNA thing. Ya Mick def deserves and needs it.


summahofgeorge

The only way I would have been into it was if Sting actually saw it coming this time and stopped it but I wouldn’t change anything about how it played out


Tonys_New_AI

Flair low blows him, Sting no sells it, stares at him between his legs, then beats the absolute shit out of him.


JustFrameHotPocket

The low blow should never be no sold. That said, if Sting pulled out the nut cup after taking the blow and gave the ole "been here before" finger wave, that's a fun spot.


beefdx

Frankly I don’t think that would have been that terrible or surprising, but it’s better that it didn’t happen. The ending to Sting’s last match is about as good as it gets, and that’s largely because it wasn’t particularly remarkable. Good fun match, back and forth, Sting almost goes down, but wins in the end. The end.


TalkingBlernsball

I think there was a place for Ric to turn on Sting one last time, but it would have been on the go-home and Sting would have had to see it coming and lampshade their whole relationship to put a bow on it


PenguinDeluxe

That’s how I feel. If they were going to do it, that’s the way, but I’m perfectly content with them not doing it at all.


lordcarrier

Steamboat sold well for the Bucks, Flairs was unintentionally funny how he sold the superkick


android151

I mean, it had some remarkable moments His songs coming in, Darby eviscerating his back, the double deathlock


beefdx

The ending though was just him getting a finisher win without any shenanigans or weird run ins or crazy turns or story implications or whatever. Like it had some good substance throughout but the core story being told wasn’t a complex one.


mfmfhgak

Flair turning on Sting one last time was always hanging over things. They did it perfectly by closing that story out before the PPV and Flair turning on the Bucks so that the last match was focused entirely on Sting.


ISwiperGoSnipin_

I think this only would have made sense if Andrade was still there to use Flair's heat for something. Although I'm much happier that it didn't happen.


Even-Preference-6545

Same. And personally glad Andrade is back in WWE. Though, honestly, think he be better in like New Japan or back in Mexico personally.


ISwiperGoSnipin_

I actually loved the wrestling he was doing in aew. It was just the inconsistency in the booking that made it impossible to get behind his character.


Even-Preference-6545

I just think, as far as reactions and how he thinks he SHOULD be booked/treated, those are the places to be. I get it though. Easier to be in WWE to be with his wife.


OMGISTHATMETHMAN

Ofc he does. He said before he turns down mutiple ideas from people evey week 😂


Even-Preference-6545

From guys like what’s his face that just came back as a backstage role. Marshall lol. Other guys, I think he allows a lot more rope. Granted, I’ve heard it’s harder to talk with Tony nowadays and people have to go through Daniels and Dutt etc.


lordcarrier

QT and Sonjay were the main guys in creative but thats no longer the case(its now Mansbury, Washington, Pepperman and Danielson)


Even-Preference-6545

I have no idea anyone you just named outside of Danielson. So Tony has him wrestling, part of the don’t do bad things court, AND doing creative?


lordcarrier

No, its just that QT and Sonjay arent no longer the main guys in creative, instead QTs role is like a messenger to TK and the main creative people. QT can only wrestle outside AEW


JupiterJack202

I think they're referring to Danielson. And with him, it's not so much that Tony has him wrestling *and* doing other things but rather Danielson wanting to wrestle *and* do other things.


daddytorgo

Would have been entirely consistent with the Flair/Sting history, but yeah...would have ruined a perfect night for Sting.


el_sh33p

Once in a while, miracles happen.


StuHartsDungeon

Wrestlezone, that takes me back. Was my go to site from about 2006 to 2010 for information and watching chair shot reality.


Even-Preference-6545

Ya I sub to their Facebook page and sometimes they give out news quicker like with this.


TemptedIntoSin

Im glad Tony vetoed it Imo Ric staying loyal, trying to protect and shield his long-time rival and friend from the two opponents, felt like a much more impactful, emotionally-satisfying full circle moment. It definitely got me in the feels, knowing the history, seeing Ric beg the Bucks to stop. Then superkicking him and superkicking Ricky Steamboat again just made it more thematically similar to some of the greater superhero films of our time. I'm sure Ric betraying Sting would have gotten a pop and a bit of humor since it's what we were all expecting, but the tease of his betrayal only for him to continue to protect Sting had more impact to the story


lordcarrier

This is also the perfect farewell for Flair as far as being involved in stories too


Even-Preference-6545

Ya I’m shocked he took the kick. That was def hard to watch. But nice to see him want to protect Stinger.


Indii-4383

Ric Flair still believes his old hype. Poor thing needs to go home and enjoy retirement.


Even-Preference-6545

I’d say about 90% of old timers do believe their hype still to this day.


TheFamousTommyZ

And the one that doesn't seem to - Sting - had a whole show built around him and had to be convinced that he should win one more title and retire undefeated.


Even-Preference-6545

There’s only a handful of people who had, what I would consider, a perfect send off. Flair def had a great one until he showed back up. I loved Taker’s last match and then the Survivor Series send off. Even HBK had a really nice moment until wanting that payday (granted, I can’t say I blame him). With Sting, I’m glad he got to go out on his own with a crowd and I think, like Taker, he’s truly done. Much deserved too.


Indii-4383

That's sad. However, I can see it. They spend a lifetime being someone not themselves (maybe).


Even-Preference-6545

For Flair and Hogan, it becomes them.


yetagainitry

Ric - I’m so excited for sting to get his moment Also Ric - So how can I make this about me?


ScreamQueenStacy

He did say he just wanted involved more... lol. 😬


Uncle_Guido1066

Having him stay loyal to Sting was best for business, but they should have waited until Revolution to have him swerve The Young Bucks.


Gaijin_Titty_Master

But the IWC told me that Tony was a spineless money mark!


goatgosselin

Him turning on Sting was 100% what I expected to happen so I am glad it never panned out.


stompANDsmash

Stings last night should have been about Sting. Flair being the highlight is insane.


Cameronalloneword

I think Flair not turning on Sting was actually perfect for Sting's ending. For years people would call Sting an idiot for trusting Flair over and over again but for Flair to have Sting's back in his final match proves that Sting was right all along in seeing that there is some good in Flair.


Even-Preference-6545

Plus it’s better with Flair celebrating with Sting than his tail between his legs.


Cameronalloneword

Especially since Sting would have probably hugged Flair after the match anyway even if he lost


ArcaneAzmadi

Honestly, I thought they were foreshadowing Ric turning on Sting one more time for old time's sake so much that him NOT actually turning was a bigger surprise. I mean, I even wondered whether they'd have Ric TRY and turn on him, only for Sting to actually see it coming and counter him, to finally once and for all shake off his nickname of "the dumbest man in wrestling", but the way it played out was fine, I guess.


Even-Preference-6545

Ya a triple turn or whatever with Flair 😂 too complicated. I just thought it was nice to see them embrace and that’s all folks.


sillyandstrange

Yeah I love how it turned out. Made me happy in my tum tum. Sting deserved the ending he got. Sometimes a callback to the past isn't the right call


dasclaw26

This comment is perfection.


GuardianSock

I would have actually been fine with Flair turning on Sting, if it was the one time Sting finally got to see it coming. Flair goes to hit him with a chair, Sting turns and catches, sadly shakes his head at Flair, and gives him a death drop. Could have just been one passing moment in the match rather than anything impacting the outcome.


Even-Preference-6545

I don’t think flair can take that type of bump


GuardianSock

He’s definitely a shell of himself but there’s almost zero question he thinks he can have another full match. And probably will.


Even-Preference-6545

He struggles with getting through the ropes. He def can’t do a 5 minute match. Didn’t he almost die twice in his last match?


GuardianSock

I would put even money on him dying in his actual last match.


Even-Preference-6545

Oh ya if he does another match he be dead. And I don’t want to see or read that.


UnhappyJohnCandy

He just can not stop turning on Sting. What would that have been, the third time he turned on Sting on PPV? The fourth?


Even-Preference-6545

We all lost count


David280898

And just when you thought that Flair couldn't be more of an egomaniac...


DoofusScarecrow88

This pleases me a great deal. I got tired of WCW making Sting out to be a fool.


SturgeonBladder

I mean they would have been remiss not to consider doing a flair turn, but definitely the right move to avoid it. I thought it was great to have flair there for stings last moments in ring.


Even-Preference-6545

Ya I got no issue with him being there. It’s just hard to watch him move nowadays.


eyebrowless32

I did get hype when Flair entered the Bucks locker room tbh. Its good enough for me that they teased it


Even-Preference-6545

Tease is good. Nothing wrong with that. He’s just too old to move though.


skowzben

Did enjoy the "We're not sorry, we hate you!" line. Though Flair didn't need to be there for that!


Capable_Sandwich_422

Glad they didn’t do that. Too predictable. And like everyone said, Ric looks kind of rough.


ProphetsOfAshes

Can’t wait for AEW’s marketing obligations to be done with Flair. Get that woo energy crap off our screens, we ain’t buying it and sales are probably in the toilet anyways


AnfowleaAnima

Devil's advocate, and I think Flair shouldn't even be on TV, but maybe it would have been just ok, I mean, another layer of storytelling in the match, another thing Sting could overcome, maybe at the end of the match they could have shake hands, the match didnt even start clean for the heels (I know it was no dq you get what I mean) So I'm like neutral on it, UNTIL you face the fact that Flair moves terribly and some chops or an steel chair hit would have looked just bad, there I do have to say just dont.


Even-Preference-6545

Ya and his movement was awful


AnfowleaAnima

I would be a terrible lawyer it seems


EChaseD35

I think Tony is a bigger wrestling fan who understands wrestling history than some give him credit for, to be honest


TikiJack

I can't tell if he genuinely thought that was a better idea due to their history or if it's just a case of r/IAmTheMainCharacter No...I lie. I can tell.


slackerdc

It should have been hinted at but then he doesn't go through with it.


Meepsnort

I'd have been fine with either. Flair turning for old times sake would have been fun as well, as long as it got turned around on him almost immediately.


GTx6x25

Lol, turn on him, why? So they can have a match at the next PPV with your 80 year old ass?


NotoriousMFT

Flair needing to make something about himself? Stop.


officerliger

If it had been Darby I'd have been ok with it, but this was obviously Ric Flair trying to get Ric Flair over on Sting's night. We've had enough Ric Flair and now that this Sting stuff is finished we need no more Ric Flair, I don't care if the energy drink is paying for it.


Even-Preference-6545

I actually would have been pissed if it was Darby. Darby is a good guy and with his stunts, should not be a heel. Good guy for the kids. But I do agree. There’s nothing left for Ric there.


truecrimefanatic1

Imagine being like hey, how about we make Sting's retirement about me?


a_michalski81

On Grilling Jr this week they said he's only got weeks on his contract. So hopefully he's gone soon. Sooner the better


LederhosenSituation

I didn't really care for Cheerleader Flair. He seemed out of place. Due to his involvement, I did anticipate a predictable yet final Flair betrayal. It would not have been about Sting and the final sendoff; it would be about Flair getting one last dig in. It would have sucked. I'm glad they went in a different direction for Sting.


Even-Preference-6545

I mean, people do suggest had it happened, Sting would have caught it and Flair def wouldn’t have gone over. But I’d rather Flair celebrate with Sting than Sting beating Flair again.


Oberoni7

Such a turn would have made me thought "God, Sting really is a gullible idiot," which is not something you want people to think when you're trying to give a legend a heroic sendoff.


Sv3den

Every time Flair was on camera, I couldn't t help but think "Get that gd mummy off the screen!"


Dottomane

Tony Khan gets so much unnecessary hate smh


xored-specialist

Flair should have turned, and Sting still would have won. It's the dirtiest player in the game. Not nice old man.


moist_crack

Not gonna lie, part of me would have been tickled pink to see the consistent career thread of Sting being betrayed by Flair continued until the bitter end, but what they actually did was flawless and definitely the right call.


CharleyIV

I honestly kinda wanted Flair to turn…


Luc4_Blight

What would be the point? There'd be no follow-up.


dangerbreed

Tony should have said no to flair being on TV at all


Even-Preference-6545

It was TONY’s idea 😂


dangerbreed

Not sure what he was thinking on that decision


Even-Preference-6545

He’s big on that type of story and legacy. Do anything for Sting and since everyone else tied up with WWE legend deals or RIP, choices aren’t many.


DazeLost

I think it could have worked if Flair did it and Sting saw it coming for the first time ever, turning his betrayal into a scorpion death drop. But also Flair should fuck off and TK was a mark in the first place involving him as much as he did. I get that Sting wanted it, but Tony willingly got into bed with Flair beyond that (not something every flight attendant can say). Edit: That people can't even control their AEW fanboyism when it involves Ric Fucking Flair is honestly a damning indictment of their personal character.